Nailhead feedthrough

Abstract

A battery comprising a battery cell within a battery housing. The battery further comprises a feedthrough inserted through an opening in a top cover of the battery. The feedthrough including a nailhead. A diameter of the nailhead is substantially the same as a length of the feedthrough. Methods for manufacturing the battery are also described.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A battery comprising:
 a battery cell within a battery housing; and   a feedthrough inserted through an opening in a top cover of the battery, the feedthrough including, at least at one end of the feedthrough, at least one of a shoulder feature and a nailhead.   
     
     
         2 . The battery of  claim 1  wherein, if the battery includes the nailhead, the nailhead has substantially the same length as a length of the feedthrough. 
     
     
         3 . The battery of  claim 2 , wherein the feedthrough further comprises a pin having a pin diameter smaller than the diameter of the nailhead. 
     
     
         4 . The battery of  claim 3 , wherein if the battery includes the shoulder feature, the shoulder feature has a shoulder diameter smaller than the pin diameter. 
     
     
         5 . The battery of  claim 4 , wherein a ratio of the pin diameter to a length of the pin is about 7.5:1. 
     
     
         6 . The battery of  claim 1 , wherein the feedthrough is comprised of titanium. 
     
     
         7 . The battery of  claim 6 , wherein the feedthrough is comprised of grade  23  titanium. 
     
     
         8 . The battery of  claim 1 , wherein a diameter of the nailhead is about 0.175 inches. 
     
     
         9 . The battery of  claim 1 , further comprising a glass preform between the top cover and the feedthrough. 
     
     
         10 . A method for manufacturing a battery, the method comprising:
 inserting a battery cell within a battery housing; and   providing a feedthrough through an opening in a top cover of the battery, the feedthrough including at least one of a nailhead and a shoulder feature.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein, if the battery includes the nailhead, a diameter of the nailhead is substantially the same as a length of the feedthrough. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the feedthrough is provided such that a pin of the feedthrough is substantially perpendicular to the top cover. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein if the pin includes the shoulder feature, the method further comprises providing the shoulder feature to a jumper for a welding process. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the shoulder feature has a shoulder diameter smaller than a pin diameter. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising welding the top cover to the battery housing. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising: using the nailhead to retain an insulator over the battery housing. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising providing a glass preform between the feedthrough and the top cover. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising heating the glass preform to provide a hermetical seal between the feedthrough and the top cover. 
     
     
         19 . An implantable cardiac device (ICD) comprising:
 a battery comprising:
 a battery cell within a battery housing; and 
 a feedthrough inserted through an opening in a top cover of the battery, the feedthrough including a nailhead, a diameter of the nailhead being substantially the same as a length of the feedthrough. 
   
     
     
         20 . The ICD of  claim 19 , wherein the feedthrough further comprises a pin having a pin diameter smaller than the diameter of the nailhead, and wherein the pin includes a shoulder feature, the shoulder feature having a shoulder diameter smaller than the pin diameter.